Sur Jahan (previous name Sufi Sutra) is an annual World Peace Music Festival with the motto of ‘Music for Peace, Music for All’ and has been held since 2011 at Kolkata till 2025. The festival has also travelled to a few cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Panjim, Patna and Dhaka in the past. Sur Jahan is a non-ticketed festival, open to music lovers. Sur Jahan always presented Int'l music bands and had participation of world music bands from 32 countries till date. The format includes evening concerts and daytime interactive workshops with the audience, and the USP of the festival is presentation of traditional acoustic instruments of various countries as well as folk music in various mother tongues/ vernacular languages, celebrating the essence of World Music, i.e, music of the world. Celebrating Cultural diversity and plurality is the basis of this festival, which also is the essence of Kolkata, the city of joy.
Till now 32 countries have participated in this folk festival since its inception in 2011.
Over 50 international teams from 32 countries have participated in 10 years.
Since 2011, 20 national teams have performed in Kolkata, Goa, Jaipur, Delhi and Patna.
Since 2011, the festival has been held in Kolkata, Patna, Goa, Delhi, Jaipur and Dhaka.
One of the biggest music festivals, 350 popular artists and their teams from India.
Over 1000 folk artists have performed on the Folkstage since its inception in 2017.
Over 10 years, over a lakh of people have enjoyed the concerts in different cities.
Since its inception, 330 internationally acclaimed singers have performed with their troupes in Sur Jahan.
Sur Jahan, the annual signature festival of Banglanatak dot com, celebrates harmony and unity through music. Guided by the motto “Music for Peace, Music for All,” this non-ticketed World Music festival has captivated audiences since its inception in Kolkata in 2011. Over the years, musicians from 34 countries have graced its stage, making it a symbol of cultural diversity and collaboration. The 12th edition, Sur Jahan 2025, took place at Golf Green Central Park in Kolkata (January 31–February 2), at Bannabagram Baul Ashram (February 4) and at Kala Academy Goa (February 7–8). The festival featured international bands from the Netherlands (Folkcorn), Sweden (Ale Moller Trio), and Iceland (Umbra Ensemble), alongside Baul music, and folk music from Rajasthan, West Bengal and Goa.
Sur Jahan in Kolkata concluded on a truly beautiful note, fulfilling its vision of peace through music. Over three days, visitors were enthralled by mesmerizing performances from both Indian and international folk musicians, celebrating cultural harmony through melodies that transcend borders. With a houseful audience each evening, the festival stood as a testament to the unifying power of music. Daytime workshops offered audiences a deeper understanding of diverse musical traditions.
In addition to the captivating performances, visitors had the opportunity to explore India’s finest traditional crafts at Kolkata edition, such as Kantha embroidery from West Bengal, Applique of Dhanau from Rajasthan, Warli painting from Explore Maharashtra - MTDC, and Kotpad weaving from Odisha. At Kolkata, Durua tribal song and dance from Odisha’s Koraput district was also featured.
After Kolkata, the festival travelled to Bannabagram Baul Ashram. International bands collaborated with the Bauls of Bengal to present soul-stirring music. The air was filled with the timeless rhythms and melodies of global music, creating a magical experience where music became a language of the heart.
From Bannabagram Baul Ashram, the team travelled to Goa to perform at Kala Academy. Over two days, music became a powerful thread weaving together diverse traditions, voices, and rhythms from around the world. The festival was filled with unforgettable performances, enriching exchanges, and an atmosphere of pure harmony.
The evening at both Kolkata and Goa concluded with a Grand Finale, where all the artists performed together, encapsulating the festival’s essence of peace and unity through music.
The site of Sur Jahan is abuzz through the entire span of the festival. A corner is dedicated to craftspeople engaging with visitors about traditional art and artisans displaying their unique artwork in the form of folk painting, embroidery, and weaving in designated stalls. They’re pleased to meet visitors and eager to answer questions about their process. Folk singers and performance artists holding crowds in thrall with little scheduled shows from afternoon to evening. The participating bands discuss their music, tradition, instruments, engage with the audience and collaborate with local bands. They even conduct and participate in small scale workshops during the mornings of Day 2 and Day 3. A little way away from this constant activity is the enchanted main stage, which only comes alive at sundown.
Over the years, many participating artists, both international and national have performed and brought the language of music to life. Invited guests return with beautiful memories and perhaps a food for thought for us. The audience has motivated us to be braver with their encouraging words and views. Here, we have strived to bring you these lived anecdotes from the performers, guests and viewers who have become part of the Sur Jahan family.
I would like to express the feeling of Muzsikas members and our two guests, Istvan and Hanga. Back in Hungary after a few days we know that a miracle was what happened to us. The music was great, b
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Dear Sur Jahan, we do not have words to thank you for all your work, organization, work, love for music and peace. You invited musical groups and festival organizers, and promoters, and at the end
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Thank you very much for having us at Sur Jahan 2018! The whole Tuuletar band and all documentary team members feel extremely honoured to have been able to share these two weeks and all expression w
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Thank you Sur Jahan for this amazing experience.
We are filled up with music, love, sunshine and gratitude.
Love you all very much, greetings from Helsinki.
Although the winter is already in Poland, but Sur Jahan is in our hearts and still very warm after the wonderful experience at your magnificent music festival. We hope our routes will cross again a
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Common paths, dreams and music, thank you Sur Jahan for an amazing experience, a true celebration of togetherness and love through music, waiting for you in Poland.
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Sur Jahan is simply awesome, it was a real privilege to meet you all and feel the warmth and quality music and carnival atmosphere. I must say that these moments were very special for me and will r
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The promise was already included, never did we experience friendship through music so warm till we arrived at Sufi Sutra. Thanks so much for this wonderful inter-cultural meeting, surrounded by an
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I can only say THANK YOU a thousand times for letting me be a part of this musical miracle called Sufi Sutra! I felt so lonely and sad that day I had to leave for home. I even miss the food and st
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It’s Tommy from Atse Tewodros Project, I want to reply to you right now: THANK YOU!!! More than a week passed, and everyday I’m still thinking about the AMAZING experience that was Sur Jahan. I
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I begin by thanking ALL that was done for us. All the attention and the kindness you and your team put into each gesture. Thank you very very much.
Concerning your country, India, and especia
Sur Jahan is a jewel with very quality of music and super organization, thank you so much.
Mario
Sur Jahan is unique. Reception, Technical, Accommodation - everything was perfect. But there is something else, very rare : this is a festival for the musicians! We can meet all these wonderful peo
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Truly an amazing experience! To me and all of us at Sur Jahan, we saw the world full of peace and music. I learnt so many things from every musician from all over the world and I hope to see you ag
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Sur Jahan to me is where Responsible entrepreneurship meets art. I admire your artistic vision in combination with your social business concept. This should be considered a piece of art in itself.
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Sur Jahan is not just a festival.
It’s a meeting place where musicians and listeners get a chance to show their dedication to culture as a force of unification.
In these days of in
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Here at Sur Jahan, you feel to be part of community. From the first moment, you are warmly welcomed by team, by artists and by locals. You will get the idea about what is happening at the tradition
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I have had the immense pleasure of performing at Sur Jahan in Kolkata, rural W. Bengal, and Goa. These places were all very different, but all united by a common theme: 'music for peace, music for
Read MoreOne of the biggest music extravaganzas in the heart of Kolkata allows you to explore hidden gems of Bengal. This grand music festival is an opportunity to enjoy the local culture and landscapes of West Bengal at its finest.
